LOS ALTOS, CA (June 21, 2022) – All ages are invited to participate in fun activities centered around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at Los Altos History Museum’s “Apricot STEM Fair: A Tale of Two Valleys,” on Saturday, July 16, 10am-3pm, held in the Museum’s courtyard.
STEM activities include robotics demonstrations, engineering a Mars landing with eggs, catapulting apricots, building marshmallow towers, creating photo sensitive art, drawing with fractal colors, making a sundial, games exploring the science and technology of early agriculture, and much more. Rounding out the festivities are workshops on crafting a binary code bracelet, and discovering Fibonacci patterns in nature. Lisa Prince Newman, Author of “For the Love of Apricots,” will hold a book signing and conversation about all things apricots, and share her delicious recipes from 10:00-11:30am.
The Apricot STEM Fair is the second in a series of four family-friendly programs offered in support of the Museum’s new Permanent Exhibition, “Making Connections: Stories from the Land,” slated to open in 2023. The exhibition, billed as an immersive experience through interactive screens, touchable objects, and listening stations, highlights stories tied to the Valley, Creeks, Hills, Town and Neighborhoods of Los Altos.
“The new Permanent Exhibition is organized by geography rather than chronology,” said Executive Director Dr. Elisabeth Ward. “Nowhere does the juxtaposition of events show up more clearly than the transition from The Valley of Heart’s Delight to Silicon Valley, something many of our residents witnessed and remember.
“Both time periods used science, technology, engineering and math,” said Ward. “The STEM Fair is an opportunity to highlight the differences and similarities between these two periods in history, and celebrate both the continuity and the changes in our Valley.”
Admission to the Apricot STEM Fair is $7 per person, payable at the gate. Free for ages 12 and under. Materials fee to participate in the workshops is $10 per person. Space is limited for workshops, and advance registration required at losaltoshistory.org. All proceeds from the STEM Fair support the Museum’s Permanent Exhibition Capital Campaign.
Los Altos History Museum began in 1977 with the opening of the J. Gilbert Smith House historic farmhouse, built in 1905. In 2001, the Los Altos History Museum opened its modern building next door, which houses the Museum’s collections, permanent and changing exhibits, store and administrative offices. The Museum and its grounds are available for rent during evenings and weekends. Its collections are owned by the City of Los Altos and are managed by an independent nonprofit organization, whose staff and volunteers are responsible for all programs and operations.
The Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, from noon-4pm. Admission is free. Tours of the J. Gilbert Smith House are available during open hours. The outdoor agricultural exhibit, gardens and picnic area are accessible beyond Museum hours. For more information, visit: losaltoshistory.org, email hello@losaltoshistory.org, or phone 650.948.9427 x14.
Media Contact: Marketing@losaltoshistory.org
Los Altos History Museum: Elisabeth I. Ward, 650.948.9427 x10, eward@losaltoshistory.org
